Memorandum from CTC Yorkshire and Humber
Region (RS 02)
DRINK DRIVING
There is concern at the number of road deaths
and injuries each year. Estimates show there were 560 people killed
in drink drive related crashes in 2003 and if the Government could
lower the blood alcohol limit for drink driving from 0.8g/l to
0.5g/l many lives and injuries could be avoided. Countries such
as Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands,
Austria, Portugal and Finland already have the lower limit. Sweden
has an even lower limit of 0.2g/l. More than 200 lives may be
saved and thousands of injuries prevented by introducing the lower
limit. Additional encouragement for younger and inexperienced
drivers to avoid drinking and driving could be introduced.
GENERAL ROAD
SAFETY
The committee may benefit from considering aspects
of safety I raised in my 1995 publication Safer Cycling with regards
to several issues. Standards as well as guidelines for some cycling
facilities, improved parking requirements, HGV safety aspects
and a 50 mph general speed limits in National Parks unless specified
otherwise. The following countries have the equivalent to a 50
mph limit (80km/hr) and more information can be provided if required.
Netherlands 80 km/hr, 25% of journeys by bicycle.
Denmark 80 km/hr, 18% of journeys by bicycle.
Switzerland 80 km/hr, 12% of journeys by bicycle.
BICYCLE HELMETS
Also the hearing may benefit from considering
the details in my report "The Case against bicycle helmets
and legislation" as presented in Munich at the 2007 Velo
City cycling conference.
The report can be viewed at www.ctcyorkshirehumber.org.uk/campaigns/velo.htm
or at http://cyclingedinburgh.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/colin-clarke-velo-city.pdf
December 2007
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